Hat-stretching apparatus.



T. J. BENNETT.

HAT STRETCHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE26, I914.

Patented June 22, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. INVENTOR TAeoaZoreJBehneM WIITNESSES:

THE NORRIS PETERS co. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. u. h

T. J. BENNETT.

HAT STRETCHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26, I914.

Patented June 22, 1915.

J&3,935.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INENTOR Tfieoalore Jmmefl',

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS THE NORRIS PETERS (70.. PHoTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, n. (7

UblidfED PATENT i THEODORE J. BENNETT, 0F BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BENJAMIN H. KAUFMAN, OF BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

HAT-STRETCHING APPARATUS.

intense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application fiIed June 26, 1914. Serial No. 847,408.

To (12110710121 it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE J. BEN-.

nnr'r, a citizen of the United States, residing atBloomfield, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat-Stretching Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of ref erence marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

' The present invention relates, generally, to improvements in hat stretching apparatus; and the invention has reference more particularly to a simple, cheap and easily operated device for attachment to a bench, counter or other place, and which operates to stretch hats of all kinds without injuring or marking the same, and by means of a simple, positive and direct operation or manipulation.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a simple and easily operated hat stretching machine having a cushioned expanding apparatus consisting of a series of outwardly movable blocks, said blocks having a resilient means surrounding the same which not only serves as a cushion between the blocks and the hat but also serves to return said blocks to normal initial position after operation, and means for imparting a simultaneous outward stretching movement to said blocks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple means for locking said expanding apparatus comprising said blocks in any of their outwardly moved positions.

Other objects of the present invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the said invention.

With the various objects of the present invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel hat stretching apparatus hereinafter set forth; and, the inven tion consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the said parts,

all of which will be more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied in the claims which are appended to and which form an essential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the novel hat stretching apparatus made according to and embodying the principles of 1' the present invention, the same being shown in its normal initial position ready to receive a hat for the stretching operation, and in this view a portion of the scale plate of the apparatus is broken away to show the normal position of the hand-lever for operating the stretching devices, said handlever being foreshortened to economize space in the drawings. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of said novel hat stretching apparatus. Fig. 8 is a plan view such as is shown in Fig. 1 but illustrating the stretch ing devices moved to an operative or stretching position. Fig. f is a longitudinal vertical cross section taken on line 44 in said Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow 00. Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal section taken on line 55 in said Fig. 2 looking downward, and illustrating the locking devices for securing the stretching means in a desired operative position.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawings the reference character 1 indicates the complete novel hat stretching apparatus made according to and embodying the principles of the present invention, the same comprising a standard member 2 provided at its lower end with a perforated base-flange 3 through which screws, or other fastening means may be passed for the purpose of rigidly securing said standard to a bench, counter or other desirable location.

Fixed upon the upper end of said stand ard member 2 so as to be supported thereby is a table or supporting-plate a, the same being provided with a series of radiating channel members 5 which extend outwardly from the center of said table or supporting plate l, preferably at right angles to each other.

The reference characters 6 indicate side Stretching blocks, the outer sides 7 of which are curved to conform to the shape of the inner side portions of a hat, and the reference characters 8 indicate end stretching blocks, the outer sides 9 of which are curved to conform to the shape of the inner end portions of a hat. Connected with the inner side of each of said stretching blocks 6 and 8, by means of screws 10 or any other suitable fastening means, are plates 11 from which extend inwardly push-rods 12, the same being respectively disposed to slide longitudinally in said channel members 5 of said table or supporting-plate 4.

The reference character 13 indicates avertical shaft, the lower end of which is ournaled in said base-flange 3 so that the same extends upwardly through the interior of said standard member 2, and its upper end is journaled in an opening 14 provided in said table or supporting-plate 4:, said upper end projecting above said table or supportingplate 4. Said upper end of said shaft 13 is provided preferably, with a squared end 15. Arranged upon said squared end 15 of said shaft 13 is a cam-member 16, the same being provided at its circumference with a plurality of cam-portions 17 which extend over said push-rods 12 as arranged upon said table or supporting-plate 4;, so that said cam-portions 17 operatively engage the transmission lugs 18 with which each push-rod 12 is provided, said transmission lugs 18 preferably forming an integral part of said push-rods 12. Extending outwardly from the outer and lower marginal edge of each of the stretching blocks 6 and 8 are horizontal flanges 19, the same providing a means for supporting the brim of a hat when the latter is operatively arranged over said stretching blocks. The reference character 20 indicates a resilient elastic band which is disposed to extend from one to the other around the outer shaped surfaces of the said stretching-blocks 6 and 8, the same serving to provide a cushion between the hat and the stretching blocks, and being elastic or yieldable in character, said band 20 will readily yield tothe outward stretching movement of said stretching blocks, and at the same time its elasticity tends to return, said stretching blocks to normal initial position when the operative mechanism for producing the stretching movement of the latter is released. Fixed upon said shaft 13 is a hand-lever 21 for rotating the same, said standard-member 2 having a slot-like opening 22 through which said hand-lever 21 extends, the said opening 22 being of sufficient length to easily permit of the maximum swing or oscillation of said hand-lever.

In operating the hat-stretching apparatus the hat is placed over the stretching blocks 6 and 8, when the same are in their closed or normal positions, and the same is pressed downwardly until its brim is registered upon said flanges 19 of said stretching-blocks. When the hat is thus positioned the handlever 21 is oscillated in a proper direction whereby a partial rotation of said shaft 13 is caused, this partial rotation of said shaft 13 being transmitted to said cam-member 16, whereby the latters cam-portions 17 operatively engage said transmission lugs 18 of the push-rods 12 and simultaneously cause an outward movement of the latter in their respective channel members 5 of the table or supporting-plate 4. This outward movement of said push-rods 12 carry outwardly said respective stretching blocks 6 and 8, the same being thereby forced against the inner side of the hat whereby a stretching of the hat tending to enlarge the same is accomplished.

Since it is often found desirable to hold the hat in the stretched position thus brought about I have provided a means for locking the handlever 21 in the operative position to which ithas been moved, thereby maintaining said stretching blocks in the desired outwardly moved or stretching positions until said hand-lever 21 is released. This locking means comprises a plurality of suitable latch-receiving openings 23 formed in the wall of said standard member 2 in proper alinement and location. Secured upon said hand-lever 21, in a position adjacent to said standard member 2, is alatch-housing 2a in which is slidably arranged a latch-member 25. Said latch-member 25 is provided with a tail-piece 26 which extends out\\-'aiclly through the outer end of said latch-housing 24. Arranged within said latch -housing between its outer end and the inner end of said latch-member is a compression spring 27 which tends to project said latch-member forwardly so that its nosing 28 is carried into latched engagement with the desired latchreceiv-ing opening 23. The exterior end of said tail-piece 26 is provided with an eyeportion 29 to which is connected one end of a pull-rod 30, the opposite end of which is connected with the pulling arm 31 of a releasing lever 32 which is pivotally connected with said hand-lever 21 beneath the handgrip 33 of the latter. Of course it will be apparent that said latch-member may be projected into any one of said plurality of latch-receiving openings 23, and when it is desired to release the same fromsueh a locking-position, said releasing lever 32 is swung upwardly which causes a pull upon said pull-rod 30 which being transmitted to said tail-piece and latch member draws the latter inwardly against the pressure of the spring 27, and thereby withdraws the latch nosing from the receiving opening 23 in which it is engaged. When said latch-nosing is thus released from its holding engagement, the movement of the hand-lever 21 is reversed to return the same to its normal initial position, thus removing the pressure of the cam portions 1? of the cam-member 16 from the transmission lugs 18 and returning said camportions to normal initial position, whereupon the elastic band 20, in seeking to assume normal condition, exercises an inwardly moving pressure on said stretchingblocks which returns the same and their push-rods to their normal initial positions, whereupon the hat is stretched and the same may be removed or lifted from its arrangement upon said stretching-blocks.

Of course it will be clearly evident that the above described locking mechanism is subject to more or less wide variation as to its construction and location, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself entirely to the specific construction thereof which is thus above described and shown in the accompanying drawings, but desire it understood that the said locking mechanism shown and described shall be considered as illustrative only. The reference character 34 indicates a gage-plate which is connected by its arms 35 to said supporting-plate or table 4, and which extends horizontally outward and beneath said stretching blocks and preferably above said hand-lever 21. This gage-plate may be provided with suitable graduations 86, with which a suitable inclicating mark 37 on the hand-lever 21 may be registered to indicate the desired amount of movement or oscillation of the hand-lever adapted to produce a desired stretching movement of said stretching blocks.

In some cases it is desirable that the side stretching blocks 6 are caused to move outprovides a very simple and effective hatstretching apparatus, of few parts and little liability to become disarranged or out of order, the same being particularly useful for attachment to the counters of retail hat stores, where its use in aiding the fitting of hats to the heads of customers will be clearly evident.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts as well as in the details of the construction of the same without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the foregoing specification, and as defined in the claims appended thereto. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as described in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. In a device of the character stated, a standard having supporting means, a plurality of stretching blocks, the outer surfaces of which are curved to conform to the contour of a hat, each stretching block hav ing a push-rod slidably disposed upon said supporting means of said standard, a yielding cushioning element interconnecting said blocks, and a cam-device adapted to simultaneously engage said push-rods when rotated to move the stretching blocks outwardly against the tension of said yielding cushioning element.

2. In a device of the character stated, a standard having supporting means, a plurality of stretching blocks, the outer surfaces of which are curved to conform to the contour of a hat, each stretching block having a push-rod slidably disposed upon said supporting means of said standard, an elastic band interconnecting said blocks, and a cam-device adapted to simultaneously engage said push-rods to move the stretching blocks outwardly against the tension of said elastic band.

3. In a device of the kind described, a

standard member having a supporting table connected with its upper end, a base flange connected with the lower end of said standard member, said supporting table having in its upper surface a plurality of radiating channel portions, a pair of oppositely disposed side stretching blocks, a pair of oppositely disposed end stretching blocks, inwardly extending push-rods connected with each stretching block and respectively aring said stretching blocks, and a hand-lever connected with said shaft for rotating the same and said cam-member.

4. In a device of the kind described, a standard member having a supporting table connected with its upper end, a base flange connected with the lower end of said standard member, said supporting table having in its upper surface a plurality of radiating channel portions, a pair of oppositely disposed side stretching blocks, a' pair of opponumber of stretching blocks, each push-rod having an upwardly extending transmission lug adapted to be engaged by one of said cam-portions, an elastic means interconnecting said stretching blocks, a hand-lever connected with said shaft for rotating the same and said cam-member, and means for locking said hand-lever in desired operative position.

5. In a device of the kind described, a hollow standard member, a base-flange connected with the lower end of said standard mem her, a supporting table provided with a plurality of radiating channel portions connected with the upper end of said standard members, av pair of side stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner side contours of a hat, a pair of end stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner end contours of a hat, inwardly extending pushrods connected with each stretching block and respectively arranged to slide longitudinally in said channel portions, a vertical shaft journaled to extend through the interior of said standard member so that'its upper end projects abovesaid supporting table, a cam-member fixed on the upper end of said shaft, said cam-member being provided at its circumference with eccentric cam-portions corresponding in number to the number of stretching blocks, each push-rod having an upwardly extending transmission lug adapted to be engaged by one of said camportions whereby said stretching blocks are moved simultaneously outward, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial positions after operation, and a hand-lever connected with said shaft for rotating the same, said standard-member having in its wall an elongated opening through which said handlever extends.

6. In a device of the kind described, a hollow standard member, a base-flange connected with the lower end of said standard member, a supporting table provided with a plurality of radiating channel portions connected with the upper end of said standard member, a pair of side stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner side contours of a hat, a pair of end stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner end contours of a hat, inwardly extending pushrods connected with each stretching block and respectively arranged to slide longitudinally in said channel portions, a vertical shaft journaled to extend through the interior of said standard member so that its up per end projects above said supporting table, a cam-member fixed on the upper end of said shaft, said cam-member being provided at its circumference with eccentric cam-pen tions corresponding in number to the number of stretching blocks, each push-rod having an upwardly extending transmission lug adapted to be engaged by one of said camportions whereby said stretching blocks are moved simultaneously outward, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial positions after operation, a handlever connected with said shaft for rotating the same, said standard-member having in its wall an elongated opening through which said hand-lever extends, and means for locking said hand-lever in desired operative position.

7. In a device of the kind described, a hollow standard member, a base-flange connected with the lower end of said standard member, a supporting table provided with aplurality of radiating channel portions connected with the upper end of said standard member, a pair of side stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner side contours of a hat, a pair of end stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner end contours of a hat, inwardly extending pushrods connected with each stretching block and respectively arranged to slide longitudinally in said channel. portions, a vertical shaft journaled to extend through the interior of said standard member so that its upper end projects above said supporting table, a cam-member fixed on the upper end of said shaft, said cam-member being provided at its circumference with eccentric cam-portions corresponding in number to the number of stretching blocks, each pushrod having an upwardly extending transmission lug adapted to be engaged by one of said cam-portions whereby said stretching blocks are moved simultaneously outward, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial positions after operation, a hand-lever conneeted with said shaft for rotating the same, said standard-member having in its wall an elongated opening through which said handlever extends, and means for locking said hand-lever in desired operative position, comprising a spring actuated latch-member mounted in connection with said hand-lever, said standard member having a plurality of latch-receiving openings engageable by said latch-member, and means connected with said hand-lever for releasing said latchmember from engagement in a latch-receiving opening.

8. In a device of the kind described, a hollow standard member, a base-flange connected with the lower end of said standard member, a supporting table provided with a plurality of radiating channel portions connected with the upper end of said standard member, a pair of side stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner side contours of a hat, a pair of end stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner end contours of a hat, inwardly extending pushrods connected with each stretching block and respectively arranged to slide longitudinally in said channel portions, a vertical shaft journaled to extend through the interior of said standard member so that its upper end projects above said supporting table, a cam-member fixed on the upper end of said shaft, said cam-member being provided at its circumference with eccentric cam-portions corresponding in number to the number of stretching blocks, each pushrod having an upwardly extending transmission lug adapted to be engaged by one of said cam-portions whereby said stretching blocks are moved simultaneously outward, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial pos1- tions after operation, a hand-lever connected with said shaft for rotating the same, said standard-member having in its wall an elongated opening through which said handlever extends, and means for locking said hand-lever in desired operative position, comprising a spring actuated latch-member mounted in connection with said hand-lever, said standard-member having a plurality of latch-receiving openings engageable by said latch-member, and means connected with said hand-lever for releasing said latchmember from engagement in a latch-receiving opening, and a graduated gage-plate supported from said supportingtable so as to extend beneath said stretching blocks and with which said hand-lever may be registered to indicate the desired operative movement of said stretching-blocks.

9. In a device of the kind described, a hollow standard member, a base-flange connected with the lower end of said standard member, a supporting table provided with a plurality of radiating channel portions connected with the upper end of said standard member, a pair of side stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner side contours of a hat, a pair of end stretching blocks having curved outer surfaces corresponding with the inner end contours of a hat, inwardly extending pushrods connected with each stretching block and respectively arranged to slide longitudinally in said channel portions, a vertical shaft journaled to extend through the interior of said standard member so that its upper end projects above said supporting table, a cam-member fixed on the upper end of said shaft, said cam-member being provided at its circumference with eccentric cam-portions corresponding in number to the number of stretching blocks, each pushrod having an upwardly extending trans mission lug adapted to be engaged by one of said cam-portions whereby said stretching blocks are moved simultaneously outward, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial positions after operation, a hand-lever connected with said shaft for rotating the same, said standard-member having in its wall an elongated opening through which said handlever extends, and a graduated gage-plate supported from said supporting-table so as to extend beneath said stretching blocks andwith which said hand-lever may be registered to indicate the desired operative movement of said stretching-blocks.

10. In a device of the kind described, a standard having supporting means, a plurality of stretching blocks, the outer surfaces of which are curved to conform to the contour of a hat, each stretching block having a push-rod slidably disposed on said supporting means of said standard, a cam device adapted to simultaneously engage said push-rods when rotated to move said stretching blocks outwardly, and means for rotating said cam-member.

11. In a device of the kind described, a standard having supporting means, a plurality of stretching blocks, the outer sur faces of which are curved to conform to the contour of a hat, each stretching block having an outwardly extending horizontal flange projecting from its lower outer marginal edge upon which the hat brim is supported, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial position after operation, each stretching block having a push-rod slidably disposed on said supporting means of said standard, a cam-device adapted to simultaneously engage said push-rods when rotated to move said stretching blocks outwardly, and means for rotating said cam-member.

12. In a device of the kind described, a standard having supporting means, a plurality of stretching blocks the outer surfaces of which are curved to conform to the contour of a hat, each stretching block having an outwardly extending horizontal flange projecting from its lower outer mar-' ginal edge upon which the hat brim is supported, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial position after operation, each stretching block having a push-rod slidably disposed on said supporting means of said standard, a' cam-device adapted to simultaneously engage said push-rods when rotated to move said stretching blocks outwardly, a shaft on which said cam-member is mounted, and a hand-lever for rotating said shaft.

13. In a device of the kind described, a standard having supporting means, a plurality of stretching blocks the outer surfaces of which are curved to conform to the contour of a hat, each stretching block having an outwardly extending horizontal flange projecting from its lower outer marginal edge upon which the hat brim is supported, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces vof said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial position after operation, each stretching block having a push-rod slidably disposed on said supporting means of said standard, a cam-device adapted to simultaneously engage said push-rods when rotated to move said stretching blocks outwardly, a shaft on which said cam-member is mounted, a hand-lever for rotating said shaft, and means for locking said hand-lever in desired operative position.

141-. In a device of the kind described, a standard having supporting means, a plurality of stretching blocks the outer surfaces of which are curved to conform to the contour of a hat, each stretching block having an outwardly extending horizontal flange projecting from its lower outer marginal edge upon which the hat brim is supported, an elastic band extending around and interconnecting the curved outer surfaces of said stretching blocks, the same serving to return said stretching blocks to normal initial position after operation, each stretching block having a push-rod slidably disposed on said supporting means of said standard, a cam-device adapted to simul taneously engage said push-rods when rotated to move said stretching blocks outwardly, a shaft on which said cam-member is mounted, a hand-lever for rotating said shaft, means for locking said hand-lever in desired operative position, and a gradib ated gage-plate supported in connection with said standard and with which said hand-lever may be registered to indicate the desired operative movement of said stretching blocks.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of June, 191 1.

THEODORE J. BENNETT.

Vitnesses FREDK C. FRAENTZEL, FREDK H. W. FRAENTZEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

